Convertible furniture



y 14, 1953 AB. CULBERTSON "ET AL 2,645,273

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Jan. 9, 1950 m B a m U C a y m A Cecil L. Culbertson INVENTORS BY an! Patented July 14, 1 953 CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Arley 'B. Culbertson, Galena, Kans., and Cecil L. Culbertson, Lamar, Mo.

Application January 9, 1950, Serial No. 137,588

2 Claims.

is characterized by a relatively fixed base structure and a swingably and relatively movable back rest, the back rest being in a substantially vertical position under normal circumstances and being shiftable from its vertical to a horizontal position at which time it then becomes a table.

Our principal object is to provide multiple purpose furniture in the field under consideration in which manufacturers, users and others will find their respective needs fully met.

In reducing to practice the preferred embodiment of the structural adaptation in mind, we have found it expedient and practicable to utilize the broad arm rests, which are rigidly fastened to the end portions of the back rest, as supporting legs when said back rest is swung over to a position in front of the bench and then usable as a temporary or retractable table.

Briefly summarized, the invention has to do with a sturdy four-legged bench preferably with a bottom constructed of slats, a flat vertically disposable back rest, arm rests rigidly connected to and extending at right angles from the end portions of the back rest, and post members for hingedly connecting the normally outward or forward ends of the arm rests to coacting corner portions of the bench structure.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture embodying the principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the back rest of the bench in Figure 1 is swung over to function as a table; and

Figure 3 is a central cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals and accompanying lead lin s, e v all st ture may perhap be d scribed as a convertible bench or, conversely, as a bench having a swingable table attached thereto. For convenience of description, the unitary structure, denoted by the numeral 6, constitutes the bench proper and this is characterized by a transversely curved seat made up of coacting slats 8 nailed or otherwise fastened to the marginal skirt W, said skirt or frame carrying depending legs [2 and M. The legs M are canted slightly while the legs [2, which we may call the front legs, are substantially perpendicular or truly vertical to the ground A. This is to make sure that the bench will be solidly balanced when the table comes into play. The table unit, which is also the back rest unit, is denoted by the numeral l6 and comprises a flat panel l8 having right angularly disposed and rigidly fastened end members 20 which serve as shoulder rests, or, as they are sometimes called wings. The broad horizontal arm rests 2222 have their inner end portions mitered and mailed as at 2424 to the intermediate portions of the stated wings. The arm rests extend at right angles from the back rest [8 and overlie the bench in vertically spaced parallelism. The outer edge portions of the arm rests 22-22 have notches 26 cut or mortised therein and the upper ends of the relatively short post members 2828 are fitted flush in the notches and nailed in place. The lower ends of the posts depend below the forward corner portions of the bench frame where they are hingedly bolted to the frame as at 30-30. These posts are outwardly of but in approximate vertical alignment with the legs I2--! 2 when the parts are in the relationship shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. It will also be noticed that the right hand or narrowed end portions in Figure 1 have firm abutting contact, as at 32 with the back rest panel l8. Thus, the parts are carefully braced and the stresses and strains equalized and efficiently distributed. The result is that the over-all structure is strong, reliable and dependable in its desired uses.

As stated, pivoting or hinging a, back rest on a bench to be swung over to a horizontal position to serve as a table is not new. On the other hand, providing a back rest with substantially T-shaped support made up of the end wings 20 and arm rests 22-22 secured to the wings as at 24 and projecting the opposite end portions of the arm rests beyond the hingedly attached posts 28 is novel in that when the table comes into use the posts 28 swing from vertical to horizontal positions and the arm rests swing from horizontal to vertical positions and then serve as table legs."

We know of no combination or convertible bench-table of the type shown in our drawings.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

' Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A combined table and bench comprising, in

' broad arm rests having their respective rearward combination, a bench embodying a relatively low leg supported seat having a horizontal frame, a horizontally disposed table having a top disposed in a plane above said seat, substantially T-shaped supports for the respective end portions of said top, said supports comprising, depending vertical Wings rigidly attached to the underside of said top, and a pair of legs, one leg secured to and depending below each wing, said legs being oblique to said top and being situated between the longitudinal center and one longitudinal edge of said top, and a horizontal member secured at one end to the outwardly disposed edge portion of each leg and disposed at right angles to said leg, said members being spaced upwardly from the lower ends of said legs, being in a plane with aid frame and having their remaining ends pivotally connected with the adjacent end members 7 of said frame.

2. A combination bench-table comprising a horizontal frame, a plurality of slats mounted on said frame and combining therewith in forming a seat, said seat being transversely dished in cross-section, a pair of vertically disposed rear legs fixed to and depending from rear corners of the frame and disposed at slight oblique angles vertical posts hingedly secured at their lower end portions to the forward corner portions of said frame, the respective outwardly disposed longitudinal edge portions of said arm rests having notches therein, said notches being spaced rearwardly from the forward ends of said arm rests, and the upper ends of said posts being seated and secured in said notches.

ARLEY B. CULBERTSON. CECIL L. CULBERTSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10,908 Bass May 16, 56,540 Ehlman July 24:, 1866 185,253 Moore Dec. 12, 1876 2,113,846 Heath Apr. 5, 1938 2,152,002 Thibeault et al Mar. 28, 1939 Cockrell June 20, 1950 

